The Philippines made another show of how Asia’s only Catholic country is screwed up by religion. Yesterday, Filipinos displayed a wowowee-esque display of religiosity.
Luhod at dasal si Juan habang binibitay ang mga kabayan. Subalit hindi na po batas ng Pilipinas ang hinaharap natin – batas na po ng Tsina. Kung ang batas ng Pilpinas ay maaring baliin ng “Diyos”. Sa Tsina – walang “Dyos” – kung kaya’t mas mainam na wag suwayin ang batas nito sapagkat walang kiyemeng tinutupad ang batas dito.
Useless Public Displays of “Attempts to Save the Three”
It’s not surprising how all these public displays of piousness, Pontius Pilates, and “I hate China” moments that will be added to the pantheon of the Filipino’s hate list – Hate Singapore (for hanging Flor Contemplacion), Hate Chip Tsao (for the “nation of servants” comment), Hate Teri Hatcher (for the “fake diploma” comment), Hate Adam Carolla (for the “brain damage” comments, and what not.
Thus when the Inquirer reported that
3 Filipino drug mules executed in China
Three Filipinos convicted of drug smuggling were executed in China Wednesday, triggering condemnation in the Catholic Philippines and despair for family members who shared their final moments.
“It is a sad day for all of us,” Vice President Jejomar Binay said as he confirmed that the three were put to death by lethal injection.
“Until the last moment, we did everything we could to save the three,” Binay, who was in Qatar, said in a television interview.
Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, 32, and Ramon Credo, 42, met their families for the last time early Wednesday before they were executed in Xiamen, said Philippine Consul Noel Novicio. Elizabeth Batain, 38, was allowed to meet with her relatives hours ahead of her execution in Shenzhen, Novicio said.
The executions came after repeated pleas by the Philippine government for their sentences to be commuted were turned down, and ended vigils in the country where supporters of the trio had prayed for a miracle.
The three were arrested separately in 2008 carrying packages containing at least four kilograms of heroin and were convicted the following year. Smuggling more than 50 grams of heroin or other drugs is punishable by death in China.
What Else Is New
It wasn’t news at all. It’s old hat. C’mon – how many OFWs are in China’s chopping block? The list of headlines goes like this.
* Church, lawmakers mourn deaths of Pinoy drug mules
* Aquino prays for executed Filipino drug mules
* After executions of drug mules, Robredo orders LGUs to weed out illegal recruiters
Susmaryosep – is this the best that we can do? OFWs are fucked! Which of course, is old hat in the Philippines.
Are these actions useful or helpful at all? Sure it makes people feel good that somehow the politicans and the church “care”. Gimme a break – if the church and the politicians really “cared” – they will address the root causes of the OFW phenomena. That OFWs will get into trouble sooner or later is a foregone conclusion.
Given the overall scheme of things in the Philippines – OFWs already know the trouble that awaits them in the Philippines – impunity, lack of jobs, corruption. Therefore, OFWs are willing to take the risk of going overseas because staying in the Philippines just plain sucks. This was the message of OFWs in Libya and Egypt. Being stuck in a scenario where bombs are blowing up and people are being shot with impunity while earning DOLLARS is a lot better than being in the same scenario but not having a job. Plain and pure pathetic – but yes, that’s the stark naked reality folks.
Should we limit our options on the OFW issue to praying, running after illegal recruiters, turning embassies into remittance centers, and what have you? After all, while the China execution is a formal death sentence – OFWs are being executed by overseas circumstances whether it’s due a criminal offense, mishap in a disaster, or collateral damage – more OFWs will die due to an increase in exposure to risk. It also glosses over the potential bubble of relying on OFW remittances. When are Filipinos going to act? When overseas economies can no longer absorb OFWs and OFWs have to return to the Philippines? Instead of focusing our priorities in getting our economy in order so we can afford to pay for health, education, and all the good stuff – we indulge in demanding for entitlements that we have not earned – CCT, contraceptives, more pork barrel, more taxes, and more free lunch.
The adage of “don’t give fish, teach people how to fish” does not work in the Philippines because frankly, people just want the fish – and messiahs and misguided enablers abound who are more than willing to provide the fish. Typical retarded response from Da Pinoy kaya hanggang ngayon ang Pinas amoy malansang isda – and if we don’t shape up and step up – more fried OFWs made in China.
Why Are OFWs In Harms Way?
Let’s use a method called “The Five-Whys”. It goes something like this:
1. Why were the OFW drug mules executed?
Cause #1 – Because they were caught carrying drugs knowingly or unknowingly, into China.
2. Why did they allow the items to be in their possession?
Cause #2 – Pakikisama, nadala sa pakiusap; Make a quick buck; Enjoy “free lunch”; Did not check luggage for contraband before boarding.
3. Why were they traveling to China in the first place?
Cause #3 – To find jobs.
4. Why were they looking for jobs in China?
Cause #4 – Because there are limited job opportunities in the Philippines.
5. Why are there limited job opportunities in the Philippines?
Cause #5 – Because the economy sucks.
6. Why does the Philippine economy suck?
Cause #6 – Because it has a protectionist economy that protects Filipino business monopolies.
7. Why is the economy protectionist?
Cause #7 – Because the constitution says so. Only Filpinos can do business in the Philippines – or companies with Filipino majority shares (60%) can do business.
GROW UP Philippines
Cause #7 is a potential cause that can be acted on. The solution of weeding out illegal recruiters addresses Cause #3. But it does not address the main factor that drives increased risk due to increased exposure overseas.
Prayers are USELESS! Poking fun at misery can only do so much. Will it get the problem fixed because people got embarrassed? Sa haba ng prosesyon at dasal – tuloy pa rin ang bitay.
Get that darn constitution fixed – before the next execution snowballs into a death sentence for the Aquino regime – and the entire country. If that ain’t happening – oh well, fight or flight? Fight after flight?
Oh well there’s always – FREE CONDOMS. “Elite” or “non-elite” same clueless, hopeless, moronic bunch of Da Pinoys.
About the Author
34 Comments on “Filipinos’ Prayers to Save Drug Mules Are USELESS!”
@bongvI suggest you write another version of this article in pure tagalog (as what the other AP article writers did). the type of people you want to reach with this idea can only understand your point (that should have been realized by the i-am-proud-to-be-pinoy emo crowd by now, if they only remove their blindfolds provided by abs-cbn etc.) if it is written in tagalog.
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Hyden Toro Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Somebody can translate, some good Blogs in AP; and put it on a Pilipino version.Blogsite..some of the Bloggers can communicate better in English…I write in Taglish…
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palebluedot_ Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
i myself have a hard time reading tagalog. but observing other articles in AP written in tagalog (e.g rafterman’s), there are more people (not just the usual AP crowd) commenting, compared to articles which are written in english. after reading AP for months, it seems like the content of this article is one of the basic solutions to all the problems in this country. translating this in tagalog will surely entice others to join the discussion.
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Prayer is just talking to God; if you believe in God. Meditation is listening to God…if praying to the Universe, works for you….or praying to “Anitos”; or praying to Allah…then, I respect it. However, let us talk about what we typically believe as God…Prayers should be used to Change Ourselves; not to change God’s mind.
You can see the useless display of religion; by those hypocritical Bishops; along with the helplessness of an imbecile President…We refuse to accept responsibility…we lack the Maturity, to look at ourselves, and accept our Faults…so, we remain, where we are for years….believing on, an economic/political system that does not work…politicians who are self serving. and a religious faith, that is absurd in this digital age…Grow Up! Filipinos…
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chayo Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
You hit the nail on the head. What are people praying for?-Miss this and the whole outlook on religion is screwed.
I’m not a religionist. I’m not a Filipino. Just a spiritual person who is amazed by the hypocrisy so blatantly displayed–and accepted–in this Nether Land you call a republic.
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Hate it when flips comment on the fate of the 3 drug mules. One said, “He who is without sin let cast the first stone.. Even God forgives, who are you China to take someone’s life?” After reading it I commented “They are a country who implement their laws firmly. And besides, China doesn’t believe in Jesus. They believe in Karma.”
Maybe God works in “mysterious” ways, but Karma works in “logical” ways. Philippines, where is your GOD now? =)
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tessie Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Oh, we still have our God Jesus, who may not be your god. I thought the Hindus believe in karma, not the communists.
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Pop Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Buddhism (China’s dominant religion) also teaches Karma. Look it up.
I’m sorry but did you hear Jesus whispering in the air lately? He said “F@CK YOU PHILIPPINES. You don’t deserve my free lunch!”
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Hyden Toro Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Karma means your Work, here on Earth…this is the reason Buddhism, like the Tibetan version believes in Reincarnation…we reincarnate to Perfect our Souls…when our Souls are perfected, we join God….
Reincarnation is being born again in another body; another family; another parent; another life, another race..to learn lessons in life, here on Earth….
The Dhalai Lama, who is in exile in India; the 14th Dhalai Lama ; his believers, believe he is the last of the reincarnated Dhalai Lama…I respect whatever, you believe…
Pop Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
China executed those three so that they may “reincarnate” and perfect their miserable lives! Hahaha!! I do hope they don’t reincarnate as Filipinos again though… That would suck big time…
Jay Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:46 am
@tessie
See, my god doesn’t tell me to sympathize with people who made egregious mistakes that would lead to their own deaths. In fact, I don’t pray to divinity to give me knowledge to see where the real problem lies. Its right under our fekkin noses. The problem is how to act, NOT react.
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Well, not entirely useless. Believing in prayer is still the good part that is essential in our life here in the Philippines. For what else could give us hope that this government will somehow move heaven and earth to address the important issues and solve the colossal problems that seem to elude his attention, if not his mind. But I agree with you in most of issues you raised. I think for one that instead of going after the ombudsman and wasting energy in that circus of an impeachment go after unemployment which is ballooning whether we want it or not. Why couldn’t these public officials show concern for the people who are hungry and who are poor, unemployed, sickly and uneducated? They have been looking the other way for so long, it’s now time to turn your heads and look intently at how the majority of FILIPINOS live here and how some die in foreign countries. Our leaders could not care less. Because if they did, they would open the debate for constitutional change, they will enact the freedom of information act, they will stop thinking of enriching themselves with money they do not deserve to have. PRAY FOR THEM….perchance a miracle might happen yet.
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Tarsier Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
It’s a matter of form and substance. Praying is the form. Doing is the substance. It’s performing what we pray for. Some people pray for one thing but do another thing. Still others pray when death or disaster is already at the doorstep. Since the time of Magellan when Christianity was introduced to us, we only absorbed the prayer rituals and rites but not the living with Christian values.
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Paano naman pakikinggan ng isang Diyos (however he, she, they or it is/are conceived to be) ang Pinoy eh wala naman silang qualities na dapat ikatuwa ng diyos bilang mga tao. Mabuti pa Hapon, kung ako Diyos bibiyayaan ko talaga sila dahil buo ang kanilang pagkatao. At least their existence has good value and they make use of what God has given them for the betterment of humanity. Ang Pinoy they just squandered all the blessings given to them by nature. Sino ba namang Diyos ang matutuwa dun. Kung gugunawin ng Diyos ang mundo, siguro mauuna ang Pilipinas by billions of years. Accelerated apocalypse dahil sa sobrang kawalang kuwenta.
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http://cornholiogogs.multiply.com/journal/item/1231/PNoy_Proposed_Prayer_Vigil_Preposterous_Presumes_Privilege_is_Pseudo_Patriotic_and_Prostitutes_Piety_
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I think your reason number seven is incorrect, the Philippine economy is controlled by the oligarchs comprised of a number of families who managed to gain control of the lands and industries after the Spaniards left the country. The transition of power from the foreign oppressors to local elites made it impossible for the common Juan de la Cruz to participate in an open market. While the economy is said to grow (they said GDP increased in the Philippines in 2010) it couldn’t reach majority of the Filipinos because they don’t have any access to the exclusive market for goods and services which is mainly controlled by these families. Distribution of wealth is very one sided in the Philippines that’s why the economy sucks. As long as the status quo is continually maintained and the oligarchs are in control, it would never change even if you allow foreigners to own lands and buy properties locally or give them the ability to control local companies. It would only give way to exploitation. While economic policies would matter, the main problem in the Philippines is the institutions and the mindset of the people. We just need to weed out the greedy people who don’t want to share wealth…
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BongV Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
clouie – oligarch control needs to be legitimized – the only way to do that is through laws. without laws that legitimize the control of foreign investment inflows – the oligarchs will get a dose of competition. they either shape up and improve the service – or lower the price differentials on their lousy products and services. as it stands – the constitution prevents FDI and ergo – competition against the Filipino oligarchy.
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Clouie Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
The Philippines already receives huge volumes of FDI through the OFW’s, there are enough foreign investors investing in the country, even the MRT and LRT lines plus the major roads (NLEX, SLEX) are partly owned by foreigners. It’s not really the problem. Our economic policies are already liberal with regards to foreign investments. As I understand, the constitution prohibits the foreigners from owning lands and local companies because we need to protect our sovereignty. We can’t compete with other currencies because the peso is weak. The Westerners and some of our Asian neighbors like China can easily buy shares and own majority of the local companies and that would include the small medium sized firms. The monopoly would just be transferred to another set of capitalists. Yes, you are correct, most of the policies are in favor of the Oligarchs because they also control the government therefore directly influencing how laws are formed. Look at the politicians in power? Even the president is part of the Cojuangco Clan. Changing the law that states foreigners can’t own lands and local companies would only lead to the Philippines being owned by foreigners instead of the Filipinos themselves. That’s why I totally disagree with reason number 7 because it’s very misleading!
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palebluedot_ Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
“the constitution prohibits the foreigners from owning lands and local companies because we need to protect our sovereignty. “
are you trying to equate 60% ownership of companies by foreigners to handing in 60% of our sovereignty to them? i don’t think ownership of companies/lands = ownership of the philippines by foreigners. these foreigners, even if they own large lands, are still subject to the laws of our land. unless if we allow these foreigners to vote, unless if we allow these foreigners to run for public office, they can never take Filipino sovereignty.
Jay Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:53 am
As I understand, the constitution prohibits the foreigners from owning lands and local companies because we need to protect our sovereignty. We can’t compete with other currencies because the peso is weak. The Westerners and some of our Asian neighbors like China can easily buy shares and own majority of the local companies and that would include the small medium sized firms.
You don’t understand sovereignty do you, considering you seem open to the idea but still keen on the fact that old laws will still exist. BongV is proposing the end of 60/40 but NEW LAWS implemented to otherwise keep everything fair. The lack of competition and the oligarch monopoly is what is contributing to the lack of opportunities in the economy and THEIR exploitation on how the land is used, which by the way is totally inefficient.
Prayer is a useless medium unless it’s accompanied by hardwork and proper mind set which the media fails to potray. From my what i’ve seen praying only works for cute children it would be better if they’ll replace the character with a strong bulky not so good looking and one that looks like brad pitt and if they are going to wonder where would they get their profit, if they are smart enough they will know and if they are succesful that would change the game.
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Ah, the 5 why analysis. Just to clarify, “5″ is just an expression that means you should keep asking “why” until you arrive at the root cause of the problem. So it’s okay if you stop at 3 “whys” or exceed 5. Point of the activity is to arrive at the root cause so that you could be able to address all or most of your problems using minimal but effective action.
Root cause, damn it. ROOT CAUSE. The problem with Da Pinoy is that he is far too short-sighted to understand that his problems are all interconnected and most probably stem from one source. So yeah, way to waste time solving the individual problems while failing to see – or worse, ignoring – the one causing them all.
Kudos to BongV for this article. We should probably feature the 5 why analysis in more articles. It’s a simple practice but it would definitely go a long way if every Filipino is indoctrinated with it.
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poverty drives the drug trade.
corruption facilitates it.
rather than blaming china the question is why and how can drug traffickers leave philippines undetected.
and senators evading justice travel without being stopped.
whether it is drugs, children, sex slaves or counterfeit products there are too many people at high level making money to stop it simply make the right noises now and again.
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We need drastic steps to address our crisis after crisis situation. One is change our constitution. Then let congress pass the bills on freedom of information, the RH bill, the bill on national ID, the bill against family political dynasty. These are the most urgent laws that need to be passed to lick corruption, tax evasion, criminality and reform of our electoral process where most of those elected are corrupt instead of the deserving leaders.
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”Pray as if everything depended on God. Work as if everything depended on you.”
How hard can it be to follow that adage?
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The why-why analysis is incorrect. The 3rd why does not connect to the identified cause in the 2nd why. The 3rd why begins a whole new why-why analysis. And that leaves the 1st why and the 5th why to be incongruent.
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BongV Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
“Credo was convicted for smuggling 4,113 grams (g) of heroin in Xiamen; Villanueva for smuggling 4,110g of heroin in Xiamen; and Batain for smuggling 6,800g of heroin in Shenzhen.
In China’s criminal code, possessing at least 50 grams of heroine or any forbidden drug is punishable by death.”
***
Kalinga OFW shares how she resisted being a drug mule PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 25 February 2011 17:20
by Peter A. Balocnit
TINGLAYAN, Kalinga, Feb. 22 (PIA) – A single, female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who hails from Tinglayan shared how she was almost duped of becoming a drug courier.
The OFW, who requested anonymity for fear of repercussion on her employment, narrated that while she was at a recruitment agency in Manila sometime in 2009 preparing her papers for her flight to China, she was approached by two persons who tried to convince her to swallow five pieces of capsule-size drug and offered her P200,000.
The lady, who earlier worked as a factory worker in Taiwan before deciding to transfer to China, rejected the offer outright.
The OFW, a college graduate,knows the bounds of law and did not want to become an accomplice of illegal activities. “This is an irony that Tinglayan produces marijuana but not all its people are involved in the illegal trade or lured to become drug couriers despite of the need for cash,” PCI Charles Domallig, the concurrent head of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Task Group (PAIDSTF) said.
Domallig said the persons luring the woman to become a drug mule could be members of drug syndicates who
prey on OFWs to become drug couriers by hiding drugs inside their body in exchange for money.
$2 – quick buck
Based on Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency records, from two in 1993, there are now 689 cases of drug couriers in 2011 of which 431 are females and 258 males.
A total of 79 Filipinos are facing death penalty in China;six with no reprieve including the three who were sentenced to die last Monday but has been postponed on the intervention of the government.
Domallig said the OFW from Tinglayan should serve as an example and an inspiration for other OFWs to be wise enough to resist any attempt of drug syndicates to make them drug couriers even in consideration of an irresistible amount. Once caught, it is their life and their future that is at stake and money won’t save them.
Domallig also warned OFWs to be vigilant against persons who approach them to take baggage, big or small for some one abroad. “Be suspicious and check first the content in the presence of the person who requests a thing be included in their baggage,” he said. (PIA-CAR-Kalinga)
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My bad… I meant the 7th why. Just used to doing it until the 5th.
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BongV Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:10 pm
the five is just an arbitrary number – you can even end at 2 or 3 if a root cause is identified. and it can go beyond five too.
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Avid reader Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:48 am
That’s right… The usual practice for manufacturing industries especially in electronics and automotive would end at the 5th why.
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Another great article by bongv. I feel very sorry for the filipinos. Church is a curse, all religion are a tool to control humanity.
I would go one step further to the last
7. Why is the economy protectionist?
Cause #7 – Because the constitution says so. Only Filpinos can do business in the Philippines – or companies with Filipino majority shares (60%) can do business.
8. Why are laws made this way, when its obvious that it is the core issue but does not ring a bell to politicians and church leaders.
Answer >> There is a power structure that is above politicians and church leaders all over the world…We are made to believe that Obama and the white house are the ultimate rulers of the world….can’t be any further from the truth…..There is a power structure that is above all governments of the world….what we know them as freemasons and jesuits. Obama is a no body…as is China or Japan etc…they take orders from shadow power who rules this world.
Please Please do research, main stream media lies, its all controlled by these guys…Google freemaons, vatican assasins etc Thanks
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Jay Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:57 am
I wished the oligarchs deserve the mantle of freemasons. They are nothing more than generations of families who have followed the feudal system and kept the money to themselves. They don’t even deserve the mantle of real oligarchs considering if they are the real elite of the country, they have yet to prove the standard that they deserve that title. Not the ones you can put on paper and mount on your office, but stuff that affects everyday life.
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We should not be surprised if the Big Media is martyrising the just executed three Filipino drug couriers and if a film will be made on them, like what happened after the execution of Mrs. Flor Contemplación in 1995.
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The monopoly is continuing…
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110331-328512/End-of-unlimited-calls-texts-feared
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